Ten lessons learned at this year's US Open

1. Swearing: not big, not clever

Oh Serena. Bidding to emulate her hero Billie Jean King and win her twelfth grand slam title, she blew it in so many ways at the now notorious end of her semi-final against Kim Clijsters, before fudging a begrudging apology a couple of days later.

(In case you missed it, here it is again.)

For all the great stories to come out of this year’s US Open, there is little doubt that the pictures of the defending champion’s expletive-riddled threat to a line-judge on match point will be one of the tournament’s enduring memories. A paltry $10k fine will be less trouble to her than the fact that it sealed her fate in a tournament she desperately wanted to win to close the rankings gap on Dinara Safina (remember her?), and even less than the threat of suspension from next year’s Open, which apparently remains a possibility.

But, it must be said, she was not alone. Without wishing to sound like a snitch, Roger Federer said a naughty word or two during Monday night’s final against Juan Martin del Potro. At the umpire. With microphones all around him. During the US primetime television slot. Not cool.

The two aren’t directly comparable – Federer was engaged in an animated debate with an inconsistent and dismissive umpire, while Williams was threatening to kill a line judge – but neither is a great advert for a game with a reputation for bad-tempered egotists. Remember kids – breathe, count to ten, and smash the bejeezus out of your next serve. Much better.

2. The future’s bright…

Wearing trainers louder than Michelle Larcher de Brito, there was no escaping the Disney-script story of Melanie Oudin. After entering the public consciousness at Wimbedon this year when she ensured the graveyard of champions took one last victim with victory over Jelena Jankovic, the 17-year-old from Georgia, USA went on a Russian wrecking spree in New York that would have made the pint-sized counterpuncher a Cold War heroine.

Former US Open champion Maria Sharapova and Olympic champion Elena Dementieva joined Anastasia Pavlyuchenko and Nadia Petrova among the also-rans, before Caroline Wozniacki proved to be an upset too far for the American No.3. By then, however, Oudin was the talk of New York, as the USTA hailed the emergence of the future of American women’s tennis.

News is getting better this side of the pond, as Heather Watson became the first British US Open girl’s singles winner, as her feted compatriot Laura Robson fell in the semis. Watson – the same age as Oudin – got better and better as the tournament went on before finally beating Yana Buchina, Robson’s semi-final conqueror. In the boy’s event, Australian Bernard Tomic made what must be one of his last junior appearances count by claiming the singles title.

They may not be vintage times for three of tennis’ ancient superpowers, but signs of rebirth are peeking through. Watch this space…

3. Rafa: world No.1 in the popularity stakes

Apologies to those who take this as a personal affront to their fundamental beliefs (Federer fans…), but the Spaniard is simply untouchable when it comes to crowd appeal. Nadal’s movements around the National Tennis Center were tracked by a healthy impromptu entourage for the entire fortnight, while back in Blighty his signature US Open range sold out in the UK – before the tournament even began.

So why is Nadal top of the pops? In short, he appeals to everybody. With his never-say-die approach and businesslike attitude to his tennis, samurai intensity and still, injury or not, unmatched athleticism, he is the ultimate hero. Parents want their kids to look up to him. Kids want to play like him. Men want to be like him. Women want to be picked up and carried away by him. For the neutral, what’s not to like? Welcome back Rafolo, good to see you again.

4. Winning a Lexus is more important than the chance to speak to your fellow countrymen, apparently

For all that it does so well – night sessions, raucous crowds, and pitching ball boys spring to mind – the US Open has one truly terrible element: the trophy presentation ceremony.

Every year the routine is the same – out comes a dumpy dignitary from the USTA to announce that, once again, a new attendance record has been set (ker-ching) and that, once again, US Open fans have categorically proven themselves to be the best in the world.

Then the interviews with the players – although maybe interview is the wrong word. Quote is probably better. One line from the loser, here’s your cheque (ker-ching) and your plate, and off you go please. Ah, the winner. Two lines, here’s your cheque (ker-ching) and bonus US Open Series cheque (ker-ching).

It was at this point that Juan Martin del Potro threatened to bring the ceremony, the notion of television and the whole of America to a standstill with one simple, quiet question: “Can I speak in Spanish?”

Unbelievably, he was denied at first, as he had yet to receive his winner’s Lexus (Ker-oh-I-don’t-care-any-more). Semi-sarcastically, he threw his hands into the air, clasping the keys in mock celebration. Then, and only then, could he speak in his native tongue. Got to keep the sponsors happy.

The power of the almighty buck, eh? More important than the defining moment in a young man’s life? Pathetic. Time for an ad break.

5. ‘Hello, All England Club? Who did your roof?’

For years Wimbledon has been the laughably lame duck among the majors when it came to dealing with the weather. But the title of most rain-affected slam could be set to change hands after the New York heavens opened to push the schedule into a third week for the second successive year.

Wimbledon’s Centre Court now has a swanky retractable roof, which means two things: first, when it does rain, play can continue on at least one court, and second, by virtue of Murphy’s Law, having undertaken all the research, securing planning permission and spending all of that money, there will be clear blue skies over south-west London in late June and early July for at least the next fifteen years.

Apparently when designing the Arthur Ashe Stadium, designers were given a choice: a roof, or 4,000 more seats. In other words: huge additional cost, or over 22,000 money-making bleacher-spots for money-spending bums. With Wall Street just over the Hudson, it was a no-brainer.

There is unlikely to be any feasible way of enclosing the largest tennis stadium in the world – but what about it’s little brother Louis Armstrong Stadium, or the Grandstand Court? A self-contained arena, suitable for year-round use for tennis (and the rest – concerts, other sports events perhaps).

While they’ll never be suitable venues for the finals, they may at least ensure the tournament has a chance of finishing by the second weekend in future.

6. Kim Clijsters: poise, panache and passion – both on court and off

Mother Superior Kim Clijsters was the belle of the ball on her first outing at Flushing Meadows in four years. The Belgian, who retired to start a family in 2007, won the title in only the 14th match since she made her competitive return, beating Venus and Serena along the way, and rising star Caroline Wozniacki in the final.

There are those that will use Clijsters’ winning return as a stick to beat the WTA with, but anybody with the gifts that the Belgian possesses can only be an asset to the women’s game – not least among them her passionate nature, in fine evidence as she climbed into the crowd to celebrate her win with hubby Brian Lynch and daughter Jada.

Jada may have stolen the show back on court with mum’s trophy, but it was Kim and Brian’s kiss that grabbed our attention. Not the polite peck n the cheek or quick lip-smacker we’re used to seeing as such ‘impromptu’ formalities are completed ahead of the trophy presentation, but a proper, red-blooded, passionate kiss.

Nice work, Kim, and thanks for shaking women’s tennis to the core in the space of a month.

7. Tennis – well, Federer – is in Vogue

It wasn’t just Gwen and Gavin in the Flushing Meadows stands this year. Jack Nicholson was there. So was Nicole Kidman. Ben Stiller. Donald Trump. Ashley Olsen, Justin Timberlake and Alec Baldwin. Charlize Theron, Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen, too. And Will Ferrell.

Now, celebs at the US Open is nothing new – it’s played in New York City after all – but the calibre has stepped up a notch in recent years since American Vogue editor Anna Wintour began appearing in Roger Federer’s player’s box in 2007. She was back again this year, present for every round of Federer’s triumphant march to a sixth US Open title.

Or so she may have thought. Wintour was in Federer’s box for most of the final, but left the Monday night match with Federer seemingly in control during the fourth set to attend a prior engagement. Well, we all know what happened next...

So is Anna Wintour Roger Federer’s lucky charm? Can he no longer win in New York unless under the Ice Queen’s watchful eye? Perhaps, but we have out own, far more rational theory:

8. Juan Martin del Potro is Luke Skywalker

Not only is Juan Martin del Potro the tallest US Open champion of all time, winner of the first five-set final since 1999 and the longest final since 1989, the first South American champion since 1977 and the youngest champion since Pete Sampras took the title aged 19 in 1990, but he has also ended Roger Federer’s reign as king of New York in a number of ways.

del Potro’s victory last night ended Federer’s bid for a record-equalling six straight US Open crowns, capped his winning streak at 40 matches, and made him just the second player after Rafael Nadal to beat the fifteen-time grand slam champion in a grand slam final. But not only that – he was the first player to beat ‘Darth Federer’.

The world No.1 had never lost a match under the lights at Flushing Meadows before, when the fashion-conscious Swiss superstar has made a habit of wearing an all-black evening suit. Such was his domination in his tuxedo get-up that the ‘Darth’ nickname soon stuck.

Only one man could beat Darth Federer. A Jedi. Or at least someone whose name contains the letters Jedi. Thing is…does that mean Federer is del Potro’s father?

9. Travis Parrott is perhaps the best name in tennis.

He won the mixed doubles title in New York, don’t you know...

10. Tennis is set to get very interesting in 2010

Kim’s back; DelPo’s put himself well and truly in the mix; Nadal should emerge fitter and stronger next year; Wozniacki is up among the big-times, with Azarenka just behind her; Federer’s enjoying his tennis again; Murray and Djokovic need to earn back their bragging rights; the Russian girls have plenty to prove; a fresh set of faces is emerging from the lower ranks to challenge the top order.

And there are murmurings that Justine Henin is set to come out of retirement…

While there’s still plenty of tennis left in 2009, we’d be lying if we said we weren’t a tad excited about the new year. Roll on the Aussie Open and 2010.